by Maggie Ryan
"I-I will be." He brushed a tear from his cheek, an action that had Teresa giving him a hug.
"Your pa is going to be very proud of you."
"But I-I disrespected…"
"Jack, respect is something a person earns. When an adult abuses his position, he doesn't deserve respect. Your pa will understand and know that you were only trying to protect Kenny."
"I-I didn't know the an… answer and he-he hit my hand…" Kenny said, holding out his hand, his fingers splayed.
"I know he did and I'm so, so sorry," Teresa said, her own eyes welling. Looking up, she caught her sister's eyes. "Would you get some ice?" Barbara nodded and hurried away.
"It wasn't cuz Kenny couldn't figure out the answer," Jack said. "It was because he forgot and had the chalk in his left hand."
"Why would that matter?" Teresa asked, having moved to a chair and pulling Jane onto her lap, worried that the little girl had not said a word since she'd picked her up outside the school.
"Only stu-stupid people use their left hand," Kenny said.
"That's not true!" Teresa said, her anger growing, but forcing herself to remain calm. "The truth is that only stupid people believe that. You are a very bright little boy."
"I-I am?"
"Yes, sweetie, you are," Teresa said, accepting the wrapped chunks of ice from Barbara. "Now, hold this in your hand so that the next time you need to write, you can." She gently pressed the cloth against his palm and then tousled his hair. "Some of the most famous people are left handed."
"Really?"
"Yes, have you ever heard of a man named Wolfgang Mozart?"
"No…"
"Is he a wolf?" The question came from Jane, and Teresa had never been happier to hear one. Giving her a squeeze, she shook her head.
"No. Do you remember how Reverend Jorgensen baptized the children?"
"Yes, he put water on my head."
"That's right. Well, when this man was a little boy, he was christened as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart." She laughed as three little mouths dropped open. "I know, that's an awful big name, isn't it?" At their nods, she continued. "Anyway, Mr. Mozart played the piano and, Kenny, he composed some of the most beautiful music that has ever been heard—every single note written with his left hand."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, she's sure," a voice answered. Teresa looked up to see Mr. Anderson standing beside the table. Ready to order him from the room, she realized that he was smiling. "Miss Goldman is very smart…"
"She should be our teacher," Jack said, pulling himself up to his full height as he stood. "You made the wrong choice and I won't go back… none of us will if you don't admit you made a mistake."
"I can only promise that I'm going to try to fix this," Mr. Anderson said.
"Good, because my pa says when you make a promise, you have to follow through or no one will ever trust you again."
Teresa hid her grin as she watched the much older man nod to the younger. "And, son, just like Miss Goldman, your pa is a very intelligent man."
It took another hour before the room was cleared of all the children, parents having been fetched or children walked home by a volunteer as no one wished them to feel abandoned, and the adults knowing that parents would want to know what had happened. Teresa was standing at the kitchen sink, her hands in the pan of suds, when she suddenly burst into tears. Her entire body began to tremble, her knees threatening to give way. She sobbed harder as arms slipped around her, pulling her against a strong body, turning her to gently guide her head beneath his chin, Roger pressing his lips to the top of her head.
Chapter Twenty
Roger had never been prouder than when he stood leaning against the wall as he listened to Teresa speak. While the others had been caring for the children, Benjamin had not only stopped at Mr. Anderson's house, demanding he gather the board for a meeting to take place at the restaurant that evening, he'd then ridden to the ranch to get his future son-in-law. He'd said he didn't know every detail, but simply knowing that Teresa needed him was enough for Roger. The two had ridden back together and Roger had found his love in the kitchen, her shoulders shaking, her sobs tearing at his soul. He'd simply held her, not minding her soapy hands that slid around his neck as he mumbled soothing words until she began to calm. Though he'd much rather have carried her outside, seating her before him on Buster, and taking her to their cabin, by the time he'd decided to do just that, Benjamin had joined them.
"The board is here."
"Perhaps we should wait—"
"No," Teresa said, pushing away just enough to lift her head. "I won't rest until that man is removed."
"Are you sure?" Benjamin asked.
"I'm positive." Nodding, her pa left them, stating to take their time.
"Remember, I'll be right there with you," Roger said as she wiped her cheeks. After taking a cloth and gently washing her face, assuring her that everyone would understand her being upset, he pulled her close once again. "I love you, Tessa."
"I love you too, and I love every one of those children."
He kissed her gently and led her into the dining room. Now, as he listened to her describe what had happened, he loved her even more. Such a small little thing, taking a stance against not only one man, but an entire half dozen people. She spoke calmly and clearly, making sure she met everyone's eyes at least once as the story unfolded.
His hand flexed as he looked at Bonner. The man's face was almost purple, having been repeatedly told to remain quiet until Miss Goldman finished. Hearing that this man had actually caned a boy's hand and then caned his brother for attempting to stop him made Roger want to haul Bonner outside and give him a taste of his own medicine.
When Teresa finished speaking, Bonner stood and began shouting, disputing every word she'd said.
"Mr. Bonner, please lower your voice," Mr. Anderson said.
"Let him speak," Miss Jenkins said. "I knew that girl would cause trouble sooner or later. She thinks she is the only one capable of teaching when I've taught—"
"We are not talking about you, Constance, and I'd ask that you not interrupt…"
"Listen here, it was my money that built that school!"
"No, the town built the school using donations from many people, but again, that is not the point. Our concern is that it appears your brother-in-law has managed to not only terrorize every child in school, but has outraged their parents as well. I've heard from most of them already, demanding he be held accountable."
"That's ridiculous," Bonner shouted. "I was only doing my job, maintaining discipline in my classroom!"
"By calling a little boy stupid because he's left-handed and then caning his hand until it was swollen? That, sir, is not discipline. That is abuse."
"Bollocks! The cane has been used to keep order ever since there were schools. I've caned many a miscreant—"
"You won't be caning another," another board member said. "My little girl was so scared that she didn't stop sobbing for an hour! God knows how much damage you've done and how long it will take to repair it!" He glowered at Bonner before turning to Miss Jenkins. "As for you, I find it appalling that you didn't bother to mention that your brother-in-law was fired from his last position for this very thing."
"Children are naughty," Constance said. "If you don't maintain order then all you'll have is chaos!"
"There are better ways," Mr. Anderson said. When both Constance and Bonner began to sputter again, he held up his hand. "Enough. Mr. Bonner, you're fired…"
"You can't fire me! I have a contract!"
"Which states that if it is the consensus of the school board that you are not providing the best education possible to our town's children, the contract is null and void. If it will make you feel better, we'll take a vote." Without waiting for Bonner's response, he continued. "All in favor of firing Bonner and begging Miss Goldman to replace him, please raise your hand." Five of the six hands instantly shot into the air. "It gives me great ple
asure to repeat, Bonner, you're fired."
The man sputtered but then turned to glare at Teresa. "This is your fault. I should have struck you again. You think you are—" Before he could utter another word, Roger had the front of his shirt fisted in his hand.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
Bonner's eyes bugged out as he looked up, suddenly seeming unable to speak.
"Tessa, did this… this piece of shit hurt you?" Roger asked, never taking his eyes off Bonner.
"I-I just got in the way when he was going to strike Jack again. Please, Roger, let him go. I'm fine but… I just can't…"
"If I see your face again, if I hear you utter one word against my fiancée, if I even think you might be near her, I'll take that cane you love and use it until you wish you were dead. Are we clear?" Roger snarled. When Bonner still didn't answer, he lifted him up until the men were at the same eye level, Bonner's boots scraping against the floor. "I asked, are we perfectly clear!"
"Yes!" The man staggered as Roger released him.
"Get out!" Benjamin said, his own face florid. "You too," he said, pointing at Constance. "Get out before I take you out to the shed…"
"Well, I never…"
"That's quite obvious. Get out of my house!" Benjamin said, marching to the door and pulling it open as the two gave Roger a wide berth before scurrying out into the night.
The other board members stood and Mr. Anderson cleared his throat, waiting until Roger, who had Teresa in his arms, turned.
"While I did rather enjoy that, I will enjoy this part far more if you do me the favor of forgiving me and the rest of us for allowing our common sense to be… to be bought." Clearing his throat again, Mr. Anderson smiled. "Please, if not for me or for us," he said, gesturing to the people around him, "please, for the children, accept the position as our school teacher."
When Teresa hesitated, Roger gave her a squeeze and said, "It means you get to ring the bell, you know."
She giggled and then nodded. "I'd love to, on one condition."
"Condition?"
"Yes, that you let me teach the classes my own way. Children are like sponges. They soak up so much and are so eager to learn. Sitting at a desk in a building isn't the only classroom. You'll see the children outside, learning about plants and animals, shopping in the mercantile to learn math, making posters and signs to learn their letters, and growing flowers just because they are pretty."
"Miss Goldman, after listening to you talk about Mozart, I have absolutely no problem with allowing you to handle your curriculum in your own way. Shall we announce that you'll begin Monday?"
"No, the children need to come back tomorrow. If they don't, their fright could grow until they are too afraid to return. I'll be ringing that bell in the morning, and though class may end early, there will be school."
"As you wish, and thank you." Every member of the board shook her hand and thanked her for her actions. Each one also apologized for their decision.
"I forgive you," she said, her tears gone as her eyes shone with her happiness. "After all, you did just as Jack said. You kept your promise."
***
"I'm so very proud of you. And here you were worried about a bear. Honey, I think you can handle anything life throws at you," Roger said. Everyone had departed and the couple was standing on the porch.
Teresa smiled up at him. "Bonner looked a little like a bear—a very grumpy bear—when you were shaking him."
"He's lucky he's not already a bearskin rug," Roger said, laying his fingers gently on her arm.
"I want to be a rancher's wife, not visiting my husband in prison," she said. "It's nothing…" When he quirked his eyebrow, she clarified. "I mean, yes, it hurts but I would still do it again. The bruise will fade. I just hope the memory of today fades from the minds of my students."
He smiled, cupped her face in his palms, and bent to touch his forehead to hers. "I am so pleased to be able to hear you say those words… my students. You'll be an incredible teacher, Tessa." He kissed her and then chuckled. "Of course, I wouldn't have minded if you gave the kids a week off. We get married on Sunday and then, well, my wife of one day will have to leave me to teach."
"Don't fret," she said, this time laying her hand against his cheek. "I'll be home every afternoon and ready to start my own classes."
"And," he said, dropping his hands to cup her bottom. "Just know, there are penalties to be paid for inattention."
"Oh, I plan on practicing every lesson until I understand it perfectly, Mr. Morrison."
By the time he pulled away from another, much deeper kiss, he was shaking his head. "If I don't get out of here, I'll be beginning those classes too soon. Get some sleep, honey. You've had a very big day. I'll be back tomorrow night and you can tell me all about your first day."
"I will," she promised.
"Have fun ringing that bell." He gave her another kiss, even though she was giggling.
***
"I think it was a wonderful idea to have the children come to school," Agatha said. "I'm so happy you don't think they'll have any long-lasting problems."
"I am, too," Teresa said. "We didn't do much but talk and play… oh, and plant flower seeds."
"That's plenty," Charity said, reaching for another cookie. "They'll have plenty of time to learn reading, writing, and arithmetic. It was far more important to learn that they have no reason to be afraid of school now that they have the proper teacher."
"That's what their parents said. They came by all day just to say thank you. I was overwhelmed."
"And, speaking of being overwhelmed, you are getting married tomorrow!" Anna said.
"I know… it seems like it was just yesterday when Roger proposed," Teresa said.
"You know, you never told us about that," Charity said. "Was it romantic?"
Feeling her cheeks heat, Teresa didn't immediately answer, causing Agatha to lean forward. "Ladies, I do believe we need to change this to a Tick-Tock meeting."
"Really?" Charity said, clapping her hands.
"Yes, I told Teresa that since she is now a member of our family, she is also a member of our special club." Smiling, she patted Teresa's hand. "I also told her that she can depend on us for support and encouragement and, well, just to listen in sympathy."
"Of course she can," Anna said, laying her hand over Agatha's. Charity instantly added hers to the pile.
"Now, spill," Charity said.
Teresa laughed and shook her head. "No, it wasn't really romantic. Not unless you think receiving a spanking within minutes of accepting a proposal is romantic."
"I knew you were one of us," Anna said with a grin. "Evidently, you knew you loved him enough even after that spanking."
"I do," Teresa said without hesitation. "I love him so very much, but…"
"But what?" Agatha asked. "Teresa, remember, you can share anything and ask any question. No judgment at all, and we promise to be just as honest."
"Do your husbands call you, um, naughty?"
Three women grinned and three heads nodded. "Yes, and just know that when I hear James say that word, my bottom starts clenching and my tummy tingles."
"And when Richard calls me his naughty little girl, my… well, my drawers get wet."
"They do?" Teresa asked, her eyes wide.
"Yes. I will never understand it but even after he's turned my behind hot enough to fry an egg upon, all I want him to do is make love to me," Anna confessed.
"Me too," was chorused by both Agatha and Charity.
"Then it's… I'm not abnormal?" Teresa asked.
"Not unless we all are," Agatha said.
"And if we are, then I have no interest in becoming normal," Anna said. "Not when just thinking about what Richard can do to be in bed… nope, I'm not changing a thing!"
"I haven't… we haven't but… oh, when Roger holds me after he's spanked me, I'm always worried that he'll know my drawers are damp. It would be so embarrassing if he did."
"Oh
, Teresa, don't think that. Don't you feel his co—"
"Anna! She's not yet wed," Charity said.
"She'll be wed soon enough, and don't you want her to enjoy her wedding night and not be scared when Roger takes all his clothes off?" Anna asked. "I mean, I was so sure that it would be awful that I was practically petrified." By the time she repeated what her cousin had told her happened between the sheets of a marital bed, the other three were laughing.
"So, I'm guessing you enjoyed it?" Teresa asked, no longer sitting back but leaning forward. "I admit I was a little frightened and, well, I didn't really have anyone to ask. Now I'm more curious than scared." She turned to Agatha. "I thought about asking Catherine, but… well, I didn't want you to think I was butting in to your family."
"Since I'm pretty sure we'll be sisters soon, I wouldn't worry about that," Agatha said. "I'm sure Ma would be honored to help you in any way she can."
"But," Charity said with a giggle, "would she be as open and honest as we are?"
"Open and honest about what?"
"You have got to stop doing that!" Charity said as James entered the cabin.
"What? Coming home?"
"No, sneaking up on us."
"Ah, since you put it that way, why am I wondering what you are discussing?" Not a one of them volunteered to enlighten him and James just shook his head. "Maybe we should stop encouraging Matthew to find a gal. I'm not sure Rose Ranch can handle another naughty girl." The four women burst into giggles, their laughter growing and continuing long after James left, taking a handful of the cookies with him.
"Just trust Roger," Agatha said. "Don't be afraid to ask him questions or tell him what you like. I promise, you'll be just fine."
"Thank you, I will," Teresa said, somehow knowing that she had absolutely nothing to fear.
"All right, before Roger comes to get you, we wanted to give you a present," Anna said, nodding to Charity.
"You didn't need to get me anything," Teresa said. "Your friendship is enough. Well, and all those preserves and canned goods and meat that is now in our root cellar."
"Those are things you need to survive, this is something you need to remember how very much we love you," Agatha said as Charity returned with a wrapped bundle.
